Scottish Junior Cup 2nd round

• Saturday 25th October, Loch Park, New Cumnock

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 1 (1)

BROXBURN ATHLETIC 0 (0)

Last season’s finalists Glenafton faced a tough test in the 2nd round of the Scottish Junior Cup as they welcomed East Superleague outfit Broxburn Athletic to a cold and windy Loch Park.

Cameron Marlow (photo John B. Vass)

Early in the game, Glens enjoyed the majority of possession without ever really threatening the Broxburn goal, however this was to change in the 19th minute when they opened the scoring through midfielder Cammy Marlow after a superb assist by Dan Orsi.

Full back Orsi picking the ball up in the right back position, went on a powerful driving run to take him past three Broxburn players before playing the ball through to midfielder Marlow who finished from the edge of the penalty box with a powerful left foot drive giving the goalkeeper no chance.

The Glens were unlucky not to double the lead soon afterwards following a quick change of speed by Adam Strachan to evade his marker before hitting the bye line and producing a cross which was agonisingly just too high for Connolly. Alain Kinney was next to threaten for the Glens with a powerful shot from outside the area however this drifted narrowly past the post.

Although Broxburn had a few opportunities in the first half, they were often let down by a poor final pass or a poor finish which meant that Brian McGarrity in the Glens goal didn’t really have a save of note to make.

HT Glens 1 Broxburn 0

After the interval, Broxburn looked a more energised side as they looked to score the goal which would see them bring the tie level. Indeed they would have equalised early on in the half if not for the heroics of keeper Mcgarrity. A neat move involving the Broxburn right back and right midfielder, created a close range opening for the Broxburn striker however keeper McGarrity made an outstanding double save to keep the tie level. Broxburn continued to control possession with the main threat coming from the pacey and skilful left midfielder. McGarrity then produced another good save shortly afterwards to push a long range effort over the bar.

The home team looked most dangerous in the second half through the speed of their counter attacks, and it was from one of those attacks that they almost doubled their lead. Aaron Connolly released Strachan, who outpaced the Broxburn centre half before squaring the ball to the front post which was crucially intercepted by the Broxburn defender with two Glens players behind him ready to knock the ball home.

Glens had a let-off shortly afterwards, when a mis-hit clearance by McGarrity landed at the feet of the Broxburn striker, however with the goal at his mercy he screwed his shot well wide of the target.

The home side then had a great chance to get the goal that would have sealed the tie. Jamie Mcgeoghegan bringing the ball out of defence, found Strachan who in turn laid the ball into the path of the overlapping Orsi. His cutback found Kinney, and as the big striker was about to shoot he appeared to be clipped from behind by the Broxburn defender however the ball was only half cleared and landed at the feet of Marlow who picked out Connolly with a neat pass but his close range effort was well saved by the Broxburn goalkeeper.

Broxburn continued to threaten up until the final whistle however the Glens defence marshalled superbly by Jamie McGeoghegan defended resolutely to ensure that the home side enter the hat for the third round which will be drawn on the 4th of November.

FT Glenafton 1 Broxburn 0

Glenafton Athletic : McGarrity; Orsi, McChesney, McGeoghegan, Cairns; Marlow (Menzies) Wardrope, McKernon, Strachan; Connolly (Walker) & Kinney (Reilly)

Broxburn Athletic: Malley, Roycroft, Mooney, Rarity,J. Millar, Manson, Keast, Young, Donaldson, Fairbairn, Locke, Easton Subs, M. Millar, Gray, Clark, Flochart (gk)

Thank You to STEVEN KERR for the Match Report